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Treating Alzheimer's disease by targeting iron
Sara Nikseresht1, Ashley I Bush1, Scott Ayton1
1The Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
British Journal of Pharmacology
|January 12, 2019
Summary
Targeting brain iron, specifically the ferroptosis pathway, offers a promising therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD). This approach addresses the urgent need for disease-modifying treatments due to recent clinical trial failures.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Despite significant investment, no disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are approved.
- Recent clinical trial failures necessitate novel therapeutic strategies and a deeper understanding of AD mechanisms.
- The increasing burden of AD requires sustainable and effective treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence and rationale for targeting brain iron in Alzheimer's disease.
- To explore the role of the ferroptosis pathway in AD pathogenesis.
- To propose therapeutic strategies based on targeting ferroptosis for AD.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on brain iron in AD.
- Analysis of advancements in fluid and imaging biomarkers for brain iron.
- Examination of the ferroptosis cell death pathway and its relevance to AD.
Main Results:
- Iron elevation in AD has been recognized since the 1950s.
- Novel biomarkers for brain iron show predictive value for AD progression.
- The discovery of ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death pathway, provides a new therapeutic target.
Conclusions:
- Targeting brain iron, particularly through the ferroptosis pathway, presents a viable therapeutic avenue for AD.
- This approach holds potential for slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
- Further research into ferroptosis inhibitors could lead to effective AD treatments.